NFL analyst declares $230,000,000 Deshaun Watson “worse” than Joe Flacco
NFL analyst Chris Simms has suggested that the Cleveland Browns were better last season under backup Joe Flacco than they are with $230 million signal-caller Deshaun Watson this season.
Flacco went 4-1 with the Cleveland Browns last season and reached the playoffs. This season, Watson has gone 1-2, losing more games than Flacco in two fewer outings.
On the Sept. 23 edition of Pro Football Talk, Simms said:
"The Browns went to the playoffs without their $50 million-a-year quarterback last year. So you go, well, they should go to the playoffs and be better with the $50 million quarterback. No, they're actually worse on offense. They can't run. Deshaun Watson is like nowhere in the class," he stated. (0:06)
"They whooped the crap out of that Cleveland Browns' offensive line. They were all over Watson, and Cleveland can't run the ball right now ... I got concerns with that Cleveland offense," he added. (2:35 )
Watson has a lower completion percentage and a weaker touchdown-interception ratio this season than Joe Flacco's 2023 run. Watson has struggled since joining the team in 2022 and is in a potential make-or-break season.
Deshaun Watson says designed runs not the key to jumpstarting Cleveland offense
Deshaun Watson does not think more designed runs are the key to unlocking the Browns offense, which has been stagnant through the first three games of the season.
Cleveland's offense is averaging a measly 3.8 yards per play, which is the second-worst in the NFL.
Watson, who rushed for 1,677 rushing yards in four seasons with the Houston Texans, said coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't going to prioritize using his legs considering he is returning from shoulder surgery.
"I'm not a running back. It's not my specialty. They signed me to throw the ball, make decisions and be a quarterback, not a runner."
Watson went 28-25 with the Texans and is 9-6 with the Browns. At 1-2, Cleveland needs to kick into gear if it is to compete for a playoff spot in the AFC North, led by the resurgent Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0).